Growing up our coffee mug cabinet was such a cluster - there were always 10 mugs too many and each one had a story, a memory or a tongue-in-cheek phrase written on the side of it. My architecturally-trained brain has since found an appreciation for much simpler beverage mugs and glasses; even now when I visit my folks, it's a solid eye-roll when I open the cabinet to find a colorful array of precariously stacked coffee mugs.

Mugs aside, I don't know if you've noticed, but Boston's coffee shop game is seriously raising the bar. Starbucks and Dunkin will always be here, but there are a few shops that really celebrate the craft of roasting, brewing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Even if you aren't a fan of the caffeinated beverage, the vibe of coffee shops offers a great place to work "remotely", hold a more casual interview, and provide some beautiful backdrops for those instagram-worthy latte art.

Check out my top 10 favorite coffee shops in the Boston area:

G R A C E N O T E C O F F E E

T H I N K I N G C U P

P A V E M E N T

L O Y A L N I N E

T A T T E B A K E R Y

O G A W A C O F F E E

I N T E L L I G E N T S I A C O F F E E

L A C O L O M B E C O F F E E

R E N D E R C O F F E E

B L U E B O T T L E C O F F E E

Other NOTEABLE COFFEE SHOPS in and around the area that didn't quite make my top 10 are: